Zoom officials announced this month that they are lifting the 40-minute limit for video calls on the company’s free plan on Thanksgiving Day to allow users to connect with friends and family members amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The 40-minute limit on Zoom Basic plans will be lifted beginning at 12 a.m. ET on Nov. 26, and last through 6 a.m. ET on Nov. 27, officials said.
Health officials are encouraging people to stay home and celebrate the upcoming holiday virtually as reports of COVID-19 cases spike nationwide. In its holiday guidelines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that celebrating the holidays virtually “poses the lowest risk for spread” of COVID-19.
>> Related: Coronavirus: CDC issues updated guidelines for small gatherings ahead of Thanksgiving
The U.S. continues to lead the world with the most reported coronavirus infections and the highest number of deaths. As of Monday, more than 11 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported nationwide, resulting in over 246,000 deaths, according to a count from Johns Hopkins University.
More than 54.5 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported globally, resulting in over 1.3 million deaths.